11/14/06

Must experience at 2am

by luisa10

Going to house of pies is just one of those things you "do" if you go to Rice, so I got introduced to this place my very first week of college 6 years ago. I can't tell you how many times I've been out at a party or drinking, and just craved a grilled cheese with cottage fries or some pie with coffee. This is one of the best people watching places and is always crowded at 2,3,4am. In fact, why go there if not at those times? I last visited after a Halloween party. It was 3am, and everyone went wearing their costumes, including the sassy waitresses. Very interesting to say the least! Don't go here if you can't take the wait, noise, freaks, boys with boys, and drunks. Best late night eats period.

• Pros: People watching, food....
• Cons: parking, wait at 2 am

04/11/09

I love House of Pies - good food/Great service

by ironhelixx

I have been going for years and have had consistently great service and the food has always been good. I love this place. Inexpensive too. :)

• Pros: Great service, good food, cheap prices
• Cons: They got rid of the chocolate cheesecake :(

03/06/08

Cross Dresser

by subdave

This sighting has stuck in my head for over 25 years. I was eating a late night snack at this restaurant when a man, in full colorful outfit consisting of a dress, scarve, and high heels jumped up from his seat at the counter and forcefully declared after being taunted, "I'll start wearing pants when women start wearing dresses!" Everybody in the restaurant was momentarily stunned by this comment. After a few seconds, one could hear a few chuckles and the look of amusement on many diners' faces. It is not often that one gets to experience such a spectacle! The ironic thing was that I was told by a friend before going to the House of Pies that I could witness some unusual patrons adorned in flamboyant regalia.

• Pros: location, good voyeurisms
• Cons: institutional food

10/10/07

Everything you always hope a diner will be

by rockdiva

A low key atmosphere, a huge mix of people from all walks of life, competent service, and FANTASTIC food at prices I haven't seen in 10 years. I can not wait to go back. Perfection is in the details, and they don't miss a thing, even my hot chocolate was de-lish!

• Pros: food, people, prices

05/25/07

Plenty of Pies, Some Improvements Possible

by strategizer

First, let me say I've only been one time. I look forward to building on more experiences, which tells you I will be going back and would recommend it as a place to at least try once.

The best thing is their extensive list of pies. You'd be hard-pressed to think of a pie they don't have.

As for their decor, I'd say the jury is still out. It is much like an old I-HOP building that hasn't been updated since the early 70s. Some might say that is part of their quirkiness and is a purposeful atmosphere for which they are aiming. I guess I can buy it, but there are times when an update might be nice. The bench seating at the booth reminded me more of a Waffle House.

The pies seemed okay, but not as spectacular as I might have hoped. It would depend greatly upon whether you are a "whipped cream" or a "meringue" person. I lean toward meringue. I lean toward the flakier, more difficult crusts. I want the texture to be just perfect. They seem to impress more by quantity than quality. Having said that, the quality isn't bad, even good, just not spectacular. My disclaimer is that I have tasted only two of their pies, the Bayou Goo and the Turtle Cheesecake. Hopefully more opportunities will come. Go to their web site and check out their menu. Pretty impressive.

• Pros: Come-as-you-are atmosphere. Won't dent your wallet.
• Cons: Softer seating. Based on 1 pie, might need to upgrade pie shells (flakier) and go meringue (my opinion).

04/19/07

Best 24 hour restaurant in HOUSTON!

by g1nahis

I'm not lying. It is the best. Service may not be spectacular but what 24 hour joints' service is at 2am? The food is delish! Pies are to die for. I was never a pie girl till I went to House of Pies. Would totally recommend the Patty Melt, medium with the cottage fries (tator tots) and the fresh strawberry pie which is always fresh. GREAT PLACE.

And about the $2.50 minimum per hour - I'm a businesswoman and a once-college student. If they didn't put that minimum you knoooow that college students will just hang out there during cram time and take advantage of the free refills on coffee, while other ppl have to wait to be seated making them unhappy customers and House of Pies out of coffee without profit.

You gotta try it - just be realistic and don't expect a perky waitress who's working the graveyard shift ok?

• Pros: Patty Melt, Cottage Fries, Fresh Strawberry Pie
• Cons: Dull Interior

02/16/07

Poor customer service!

by aposcovsky

The location on Westheimer, which I have go to every Sun morning for years, has pushed me out the door. At first I thought itwas this one waitstaff person. But it all. I sit near the front and and get Coffee and a tuna Melt every time. The tuna Melt is why I drive 5 miles out of my way.

But they never return to more coffee and sometimes I never get water also. I asked for cream once and the lady never returned.

So, get the food to go!!!

The food is good and the price is fair.

The service is POOR!!!

I know a $1 tip on a $7 meal is low, but, perhaps if I got better service, I might leave $1.50.

01/19/07

Your best bet for easy-bake Jello pie

by papa_dough

We finally were drawn in by the alluring sign on Kirby tonight. The House of Pies may conjure up nostalgic emotions; even the backed up sewer odor in the restaurant is nostalgic, I suppose. The pies were lovingly handcrafted based on the instructions on the back of Jello and cool whip boxes. They tasted OK, but face it people, you could whip up something like this in about 30 minutes at home.

• Pros: Open all the time
• Cons: Not worth the stop

01/07/07

Go at your own risk

by roopan

I just went to this establishment and had a terrible experience. I was a first time customer and not aware of their $2.50 per hour minimum service charge. Since we only went there because my friend wanted a piece of pie, I had not ordered anything. Since the price of ordering a pie is about the same amount, we asked if we could have the service charge waived if we got a pie to go. I was told very rudely by the manager or owner that I had enjoyed their "facilities," "used their air conditioning," "enjoyed their restrooms," and "seemed to think that this was a nonprofit organization" Mind you, the restaurant was half empty and this was a Sunday afternoon. He also said we were "trying to cheat the system." When he said that he was not being rude, and I kindly informed him that he was quite rude, he rebutted by telling me that I was not a nice person. I can't even tell you how furious I am at this experience. No pie is worth this service. Next time I want dessert, I'm going to the Dessert Gallery next door.

• Cons: $2.50 service charge, RUDE MANAGEMENT

11/03/06

Best Late Nite Eatery

by opiejsm

If you are a late nighter and want something to eat at. then come here where the staff are kind and have a sense of humor. The price is really cheap and they serve things that you proberly havent even heard of yet

• Pros: Food, Customer Service
• Cons: Trying to get a table. is all cause it really popular